Search results for " surface"
showing 10 items of 2838 documents
Induction of the cytokine TWEAK and its receptor Fn14 in ischemic stroke.
2008
Stroke outcome is determined by delayed neuronal cell death and edema formation. TWEAK, a cytokine of the TNF superfamily, and its membrane receptor Fn14 promote ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis and leakage of the blood-brain barrier. Both TWEAK and Fn14 are upregulated in experimental stroke models. In this study, we investigated whether TWEAK and Fn14 are upregulated in stroke patients. We measured serum concentrations of TWEAK in stroke patients and matched control subjects by ELISA. Expression of Fn14 in the brain was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. TWEAK serum concentrations were elevated in stroke patients. In autopsy samples, we found elevated mRNA levels o…
Natural history of chronic HBV carriers in northern Italy: morbidity and mortality after 30 years
2004
Background & aims: Increased morbidity and mortality from liver disease have been reported in chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, but data on survival are equivocal. To assess the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on survival and liver-related complications, we re-evaluated, after a mean follow-up of 30 years, a cohort of 296 blood donors excluded from donation 30 years ago when HBsAg screening became mandatory. Methods: Clinical and ultrasound examination and biochemical and virologic tests were performed. The cause of death was recorded and survival was compared with a control population of 157 HBV-negative blood donors selected at baseline. Results: Thirty-two…
Effect of self-etching primer/adhesive and conventional bonding on the shear bond strength in metallic and ceramic brackets
2011
Introduction: Bracket debonding from the tooth surface is a common problem in fixed orthodontics. The aims of the present study were to assess the bond strength and failure sites in two ways of bonding technique, with metallic and ceramic brackets. Material and Methods: One hundred premolars were assigned to 4 groups of 25 each: Group A, metallic brackets/ conventional procedure; Group B, metallic brackets/Transbond XT; Group C, ceramic brackets/conventional procedure; and Group D, ceramic brackets/Transbond XT. Transbond XT composite paste was used for bracket bonding and cured by conventional light-cure device. Specimens were subjected to thermocycling. One week after bonding shearing for…
Wilms' tumor in patients with 9q22.3 microdeletion syndrome suggests a role for PTCH1 in nephroblastomas
2012
Nephroblastoma (Wilms' tumor; WT) is the most common renal tumor of childhood. To date, several genetic abnormalities predisposing to WT have been identified in rare overgrowth syndromes. Among them, abnormal methylation of the 11p15 region, GPC3 and DIS3L2 mutations, which are responsible for Beckwith-Wiedemann, Simpson-Golabi-Behmel and Perlman syndromes, respectively. However, the underlying cause of WT remains unknown in the majority of cases. We report three unrelated patients who presented with WT in addition to a constitutional 9q22.3 microdeletion and dysmorphic/overgrowth syndrome. The size of the deletions was variable (ie, from 1.7 to 8.9 Mb) but invariably encompassed the PTCH1 …
Regulation of immunomodulatory functions by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in vivo
1996
The present study was designed to investigate in vivo immunomodulatory properties of hematopoietic growth factors. The influence on the activation of cytokine synthesis and on the expression of surface antigens associated with cellular activation of G-CSF or GM-CSF was investigated in cancer patients receiving these factors. One single dose of growth factor was administered to patients with bladder cancer (G-CSF group) or small cell lung cancer (GM-CSF group) before chemotherapy. After cytoreductive chemotherapy patients received supportive therapy with G-CSF or GM-CSF. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples were obtained for flow cytometry, Northern blot analysis, and assess…
Double Negative (CD19+IgG+IgD-CD27-) B Lymphocytes: A New Insight from Telomerase in Healthy Elderly, in Centenarian Offspring, and in Alzheimer’s Di…
2014
Background: We have previously reported the increase of IgD-CD27- (Double Negative, DN) B cell population in the aged. These memory B cells have short telomeres and poor abilities to proliferate in vitro. Here, we investigated whether the low ability of DN B cells to proliferate depends on the expression levels of the CD307d and CD22 inhibitory receptors or whether DN B cells can proliferate and reactivate telomerase by the engagement of both innate and adaptive immune receptors. Methods: Phenotypic analyses were made by using flow cytometry. Quantitative analysis of telomerase activity was made by using a TRAP and a photometric enzyme immunoassay in young, healthy elderly, centenarian offs…
Hepatitis B vaccination of relatives of hepatitis B virus DNA positive carriers: an experience with plasma-derived vaccine.
1989
We assessed in a western population the efficacy of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in relatives of highly infectious hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. A consecutive group of 103 HbsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc negative household relatives of 45 HBV-DNA positive chronic carriers received a 5 micrograms dose of plasma-derived vaccine at 0, 1, 2 and 12 months. Protective levels of immunity developed in 101 subjects (97.8%) 3 months after boosting. Low responders to the vaccine were mostly found among parents and spouses of carriers, whilst offspring and siblings were usually high responders. The main discriminant in predicting a good response was age below 12 years. Hyporesponsiveness did n…
Systemic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors for dry eye disease in a mediterranean caucasian population
2022
Abstract Objectives To assess systemic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors for dry eye disease (DED) in a Mediterranean Caucasian population. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 120 Caucasian participants aged between 18 and 89 years (47.0 ± 22.8 years). Medical history, information regarding environmental conditions and lifestyle, Ocular Surface Disease Index, Dry Eye Questionnaire-5, non-Invasive (Oculus Keratograph 5 M) breakup time, tear film osmolarity and ocular surface staining parameters were assessed in a single clinical session to allow DED diagnosis based on the guidelines of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop II Diagnostic Methodology Re…
Ocular Surface and Tear Film Changes in Older Women Working with Computers
2015
The aim of this work is to investigate changes in the ocular surface (OS) and tear film (TF) by means of questionnaire-based subjective symptoms, TF break-up time, Schirmer test, and TF analysis in women working with computers and to analyze the effects of the oral supplementation with antioxidants/omega 3 fatty acids (A/ω3) in the OS outcomes. Women aged 40–65 years (n=148) were recruited at the Administrative Offices of Valencia (Spain) and distributed into two age groups, 40–52 years (AGE1;n=87) and 53–65 years (AGE2;n=61), and then subdivided according to being (or not) computer users (CUG; NCUG) during the workday. Homogeneous subgroups were randomly assigned (or not) to the daily inta…
Online Vs In-person Education: Evaluating the Potential Influence of Teaching Modality on Dry Eye Symptoms and Risk Factors During the COVID-19 Pande…
2021
OBJECTIVES: To assess the potential effects of switching to online lecture format on dry eye symptoms and dry eye disease (DED) risk factors. METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 812 university students (mean age, 21.5±4.0 years). Participants were classified according to the number of hours the participants took online lectures into online students or in-person students. Respondents completed a total of three DED questionnaires (Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI]; 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire; 8-item Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire) and were surveyed on dry eye risk factors contemplated by the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop II in a…